Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
330–25K
1725–50K
1650–75K
675–100K
14100–150K
2150K+
88 reports with mileage · 25 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports2 fire reports15 injury reports
What owners actually said
113 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2003
Power Train
YOU CAN ADD ME TO THE LIST OF PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE HARD SHIFT PROBLEM THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE DESCRIBED AS AN INTERMITTENT HARD SLAM OF THE TRANS IN MY NEW $30,000 MAZDA MPV. IT OCCURS WHEN THE VAN HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE AND HAPPENS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD AROUND 30MI PER HR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE ORIGINAL D…
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YOU CAN ADD ME TO THE LIST OF PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE HARD SHIFT PROBLEM THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE DESCRIBED AS AN INTERMITTENT HARD SLAM OF THE TRANS IN MY NEW $30,000 MAZDA MPV. IT OCCURS WHEN THE VAN HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE AND HAPPENS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD AROUND 30MI PER HR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER AND THEY ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT THEY WON'T TRY TO FIX IT BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY CURRENTLY THEY HAVE NO FIX FROM MAZDA. I EMAILED MAZDA AND THEY ADMIT THAT THERE IS NO FIX BUT THEY ARE WORKING WITH THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TRANSMISSION. I AM TRYING TO FILE FOR LEMON LAW ARBITRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AT THIS TIME. I NEED FOUR WORK ORDERS FROM THE DEALERS WHICH MEANS 4 DAYS WITHOUT A CAR AND TIME OFF WORK . THE SECOND DEALER I TOOK IT TO SAID MY VAN WAS WORKING AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO EVEN THOUGH I TRIED TO SHOW THE SERVICE MANAGER THE EMAIL FROM MAZDA THAT AS GOOD AS CONFESSES THAT THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS ON 2003/2004 MPV'S. THE AREA DEALER SERVICE REP FOR MAZDA WOULDN'T HELP ME EITHER. I THINK IT'S TIME FOR ME TO CALL MY FRIENDS AT CBS NEWS AND GET MAZDA ON 20/20 AND HAVE THEM ANSWER SOME POINTED QUESTIONS, LIKE WHY DON'T THEY STAND BEHIND THEIR CARS AND GIVE US THE SERVICE WE ALL DESERVE. IF YOU WANT TO SEE MORE COMPLAINTS GO TO EDMUNDS.COM THERE ARE OVER 3000 + COMPLAINTS AND COUNTING. I THINK MAZDA WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS UNTIL SOME ONE IS EITHER IN AN ACCIDENT OR HURT AS A RESULT OF THE TRANS. PROBLEM. MY RECOMMENDATION IS DON'T BUY A MAZDA MPY VAN. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10049243
500 miles · Nov 30, 2003
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO SHIFT VERY HARD IN BETWEEN CERTAIN GEARS..IT THRUSTS YOU FORWARD WITH A POWER SURGE. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I AM A DISABLED WOMAN. AND IT FILLED ALL MY NEEDS..WHEN THIS JOLT HAPPENS. TALKED TO MY DOCTOR AND WAS ADVISED TO DO AS LITTLE DRIVING AS POSSIBLE IN THIS VAN. AT RISK OF MORE INJURY TO …
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THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO SHIFT VERY HARD IN BETWEEN CERTAIN GEARS..IT THRUSTS YOU FORWARD WITH A POWER SURGE. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I AM A DISABLED WOMAN. AND IT FILLED ALL MY NEEDS..WHEN THIS JOLT HAPPENS. TALKED TO MY DOCTOR AND WAS ADVISED TO DO AS LITTLE DRIVING AS POSSIBLE IN THIS VAN. AT RISK OF MORE INJURY TO MY NECK..TOOK IT TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES..WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS JUST A QUIRK IN THE MAZDA TRANSMISSION. TOLD THE MAZDA MECHANIC THAT IT WAS AN AWFULLY EXPENSIVE QUIRK. THEY DID A REPROGRAM ON THE TRANSMISSION. IT STILL DOES IT ..ONLY NOW THE GEERS SLIP TOO. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NO LONGER SEE THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM . IF THEY COULD NOT GET THE VAN TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM FOR THE MECHANIC, THAT IT WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE AND NOT UNDER WARRENTY. THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS PROBLEM EXIST. ONLY THERE IS NO WAY THAT YOU CAN PIN POINT THE MOMENT AND TIME OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10048854
50 miles · Nov 28, 2003
Power Train
2003 MAZDA MPV. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD FROM 2ND TO 3RD. YOU CAN ACTUALLY FEEL THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND THEN IT WILL SLAM INTO 3RD GEAR. IT FEELS AS IF YOU ARE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. VERY DANGEROUS! THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE MORE APPARENT WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMP IS MILD A…
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2003 MAZDA MPV. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD FROM 2ND TO 3RD. YOU CAN ACTUALLY FEEL THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND THEN IT WILL SLAM INTO 3RD GEAR. IT FEELS AS IF YOU ARE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. VERY DANGEROUS! THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE MORE APPARENT WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMP IS MILD AND THE ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR MORE THAN 15-20 MINUTES. PROBLEM MUST BE DUPLICATED IN ORDER FOR MAZDA TO REPAIR. MY VAN HAS 6500 MILES ON IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10047743
4,162 miles · Nov 27, 2003
Power Train
2003 MAZDA MPV - TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY ROUGH FROM 2ND TO 3RD. YOU CAN FEEL THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING THEN IT SLAMS INTO 3RD GEAR. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE. DEALER SAYS THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED AND FIXED UNLESS IT CAN BE DUPLICATED IN THE REPAIR SHOP. I PRINTED 30 PAGES FROM THE EDMUNDS.COM BOARD AND M…
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2003 MAZDA MPV - TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY ROUGH FROM 2ND TO 3RD. YOU CAN FEEL THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING THEN IT SLAMS INTO 3RD GEAR. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE. DEALER SAYS THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED AND FIXED UNLESS IT CAN BE DUPLICATED IN THE REPAIR SHOP. I PRINTED 30 PAGES FROM THE EDMUNDS.COM BOARD AND MAZDAUSA.COM BOARD AND HANDED IT TO THE SERVICE MANAGER TO SHOW THAT YES THIS IS A PROBLEM. THE VAN ONLY HAS 4100 MILES ON IT AND HAS DONE THIS SINCE PURCHASED. I WILL NOW KEEP A RECORD OF THE INCIDENTS. **RIVERSIDE, CA. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10047687
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2003
Structure
MAZDA MPV 2003 PURCHASED IN FEB 03. SINCE THEN, HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH PASSENGER POWER SLIDING DOOR NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES FOR REPAIR. EACH TIME, DEALER CLAIMS IT'S "FIXED." SYMPTOMS INCLUDE: DOOR WILL NOT SHUT PROPERLY, WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL OR DOES NOT CLOSE FLUSH WITH VAN. …
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MAZDA MPV 2003 PURCHASED IN FEB 03. SINCE THEN, HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH PASSENGER POWER SLIDING DOOR NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES FOR REPAIR. EACH TIME, DEALER CLAIMS IT'S "FIXED." SYMPTOMS INCLUDE: DOOR WILL NOT SHUT PROPERLY, WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL OR DOES NOT CLOSE FLUSH WITH VAN. INITIATED STEPS TO CLAIM VA LEMON LAW ON NOV 21, 2003. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10047461
3,980 miles · Nov 17, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
THERE IS A SULFUR SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, DEALER SAID ITS THE ETHANOL GAS THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS SEASONAL; DEALER SAID TO TRY OTHER GAS; DEALER HAS SAID THEY HAVE RECEIVED OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME SMELL AND THAT AT LEAST ONE (PREGNANT) OWNER CANNOT DRIVE HER CAR WITHO…
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THERE IS A SULFUR SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, DEALER SAID ITS THE ETHANOL GAS THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS SEASONAL; DEALER SAID TO TRY OTHER GAS; DEALER HAS SAID THEY HAVE RECEIVED OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME SMELL AND THAT AT LEAST ONE (PREGNANT) OWNER CANNOT DRIVE HER CAR WITHOUT BECOMING SICK. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10047073
57 miles · Nov 12, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE GEARS IN THE VEHICLE SEEM TO BE SLIPPING. THE GEARS DIDN'T CHANGE AT THE PROPER INTERVALS. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE CONSUMER WOULD BE AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD , AS IF STRUCK FROM BEHIND. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEAL…
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WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE GEARS IN THE VEHICLE SEEM TO BE SLIPPING. THE GEARS DIDN'T CHANGE AT THE PROPER INTERVALS. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THE CONSUMER WOULD BE AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD , AS IF STRUCK FROM BEHIND. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPROGRAMMED THE PCM MODULE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE REPROGRAMMING DID NOT STOP THE ENGINE FROM SLIPPING, BUT IT DID CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO GO OUT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THE ENGINE SLIPPING THREE TIMES, AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10047846
4,000 miles · Nov 6, 2003
Power Train
VEHICLE HAS CLUNKING WHEN IT SHIFTS FROM 2ND TO 3RD ESPECIALLY AT SLOWER SPEEDS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP 4 TIMES AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. DEALER INSTALLED 2 NEW SOFTWARE UPDATES. DEALER THAT HAS TRIED FIXING PROBLEM IS NEW COUNTRY- MAZDA SARATOGA SPRINGS NY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10045588
10,800 miles · Oct 23, 2003
Power TrainCrashFire
2003 MAZDA MPV - TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY ROUGH FROM 2ND TO 3RD. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE. DEALER SAYS THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED AND FIXED UNLESS IT CAN BE DUPLICATED IN THE REPAIR SHOP. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043436
25,000 miles · Oct 22, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE REAR BRAKES SQUEAKED VERY LOUDLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE CONSUMER HAD THE BRAKES INSPECTED BY THE DEALER THREE TIMES BUT THE DEALER HAS NOYT BEEN ABLE TO FIND OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK *NLM
THE TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE INDICATED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS NOT CORRECT. THE LABELS SHOW THE MAXIMUM TIRE PRESSURE AS 240 KPA/32 PSI WHEN IT SHOULD BE SHOWN AS 240 KPA/35 PSI. AS A RESULT OF THIS ERROR, THE LOAD RATIOS FOR THE 205/65R15 94H AND THE 215/60R16 95H TIRES EXCEED THE LEVELS PERMITTED BY FMVSS 120.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE TIRE IS OPERATED IN AN UNDER-INFLATED CONDITION, THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE VEHICLE MAY BE COMPROMISED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECTED LABEL THAT THEY CAN APPLY TO THEIR VEHICLE, OR THEY CAN HAVE A DEALER INSTALL THE LABEL, IF DESIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500, OPTION #4.
CERTAIN MINIVANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AIR BAG WARNING LABELS INTENDED FOR THE CANADIAN MARKET. THUS, THE LABELS CONTAIN WARNINGS IN BOTH ENGLISH AND FRENCH. AS A RESULT, THE AREA OF THE ENGLISH WARNING IS ONLY 16 SQUARE CENTIMETERS, AS OPPOSED TO THE 30 SQUARE CENTIMETERS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AIR BAG CAUTION LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WHICH WERE MAILED ON JULY 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SOCKET HOLDER IN THE FOG LIGHTS IS INSTALLED IN THE LAMP CASING USING PRESSURE. DURING OPERATION OF THE FOG LIGHT, THE HEAT FROM THE BULB CAN EXPAND THE SOCKET HOLDER. THE EXPANSION CAN FORCE THE SOCKET HOLDER REARWARD. AFTER REPEATEDLY BEING SUBJECT TO THIS EXPANSION, IF THE FOG LIGHT IS ALSO SUBJECTED TO VIBRATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE SOCKET HOLDER WITH THE BULB HOLDER AND THE WIRING HARNESS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FOG LIGHT CASING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE BULB SOCKET AND THE HARNESS CAN DROP INSIDE THE BUMPER AND POSSIBLY BUT RARELY, THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE BULB CAN CAUSE THE BUMPER TO BURN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING TO PREVENT THE SOCKET HOLDER FROM SEPARATING FROM THE LAMP CASE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT FOG LIGHTS,THE FOG LIGHT BULB SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE USED WITH THIS CONDITION, THE BULB SOCKET AND THE WIRING HARNESS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FOG LIGHT HOUSING IF EXPOSED TO SHOCK AND/OR VIBRATION AND DROP INSIDE THE BUMPER. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE OPERATION OF THE FOG LIGHT MAY THEN CAUSE THE BUMPER TO BURN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INSTALLATION CONDITION OF THE FOG LIGHT BULB ASSEMBLY, AND REPAIR IT WHEN NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2003 Mazda Mpv Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year